AN ANNUAL STROUD festival which focuses on themes of wonder and 'hope for a better world' delighted the town. 

Now in its third year, the town's annual Festival of Wonder ran from Friday until Sunday at St Laurence Church - the Stroud Centre for Peace & the Arts in the town centre.

This year’s world class artists included 2023 Britain’s Got Talent finalists and amazing aerialists Duo Odyssey, popular French shadow dancers Claire et Antho, comedian and clown Viktor Vassiliev, hilarious circus entertainer Thomas Trilby and Stroud stilt walker and juggler The Magnificent Mr Kai to name but a few.

To add to the atmosphere, this year the church was transformed into a winter wonderland, with hundreds of snowflakes designed by primary school children.

Also performing were Stroud Folk Choir, The Raga Babas, Ambitions Dance, School of Larks and the Stroud Phoenix Choir and Phoenix Children’s Choir.

All pictures by photographer Simon Pizzey